A globally renowned scholar in 4IR will share his views during the inaugural Catalytic Niche Area (CNA) Symposium from 14 to 15 August 2024 at the Muckleneuk Campus. The CNAs are a strategic Unisa priority, but the implementation and take-up have been slower than expected. 

In a move to change the current mindset, the symposium offers debate and discussion around the value of research in these ten important catalytic niche areas. It is intended to activate and enhance Unisa's academic agenda and strengthen academics' experiences as engaged scholars while at the same time addressing society's needs.

Hosted by the Department of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation and the College of Graduate Studies, custodians of the CNA programme, each of the ten CNA sessions offers insights from leading scholars and industry specialists. The sessions will be presented in an informal conversational style, allowing audience participation.

Join the symposium for two days of thought-provoking discussion and debate.

Spot prizes will be awarded for in-person attendance.

To register: https://forms.office.com/r/J1TLaky74G

Keynote address

Date: Monday 14 August 2024
Time: 09:45
Venue: Senate Hall, Muckleneuk Campus

Prof Tankiso Moloi is a Director, Academic, Full Professor and Research Chair in 4IR at the Johannesburg Business School, University of Johannesburg.

Prof Tankiso Moloi

An NRF-rated scholar, he is a renowned specialist in 4IR research, where his interests lie in artificial intelligence in corporate governance and risk management. His passion for 4IR has led to research collaborations from around the globe.

*He was a Finance & Risk Executive at Anglo American (Kumba Iron Ore) and the University of South Africa (Unisa). He has participated and held various strategic board positions which includes being the Chair of Africa's Regional Engagement Group (June 2022 to date), Vice-Chair (June 2021 to May 2022) and Member of Africa Regional Advisory Panel (Aprril 2019 to May 2022) in the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants/Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the Chair of Work Stream 6-Core 4IR Technologies (September 2021 to August 2022) in the Namibia's 4IR Task Force, the Board and Member of the Audit Committee for AB4IR NPC (October 2020 - March 2022), the Board Member (December 2020 to 30 September 2021) and Audit, Risk and Finance Committee Member for the Green Matter NPC (October 2019 to 30 September 2021), being the Council Member and Chair of Finance Committee in the South West Gauteng TVET College (2019-2020), the Audit and Risk Committee Member at Sedibeng TVET College (2017-2017), and the Member of Ministerial Advisory Council on Energy, South Africa's National Department of Energy (2015-2017).

His qualifications include a PhD in Finance (UCN EU Programmes), an MCom in Accounting (Unisa), an MSc in Financial Management (London), an MA in International Relations (Leicester), a Postgraduate Programme in Data Science and Business Analytics (Texas at Austin), a Postgraduate Programme in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (Texas at Austin), an Hons BCom in Accounting (Unisa) and a BCom (Unisa). He is also a Chartered Management Accountant (CMA), holding a Fellowship in the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). In addition, he has completed leadership and technology programmes which include a Programme for Management Excellence (Gordon Institute of Business Science), the Executive Program in Artificial Intelligence (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), the Executive Program in Blockchain Technologies (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and the Executive Leadership Programme (Saïd Business School, University of Oxford).

* Image source: LinkedIn
* University of Johannesburg

* Compiled by Virginia McManus, Manager: PR and Communication, Department: Research, Innovation and Commercialisation